Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Transformative and empowering February 15, 2024

By (Architecture, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/25/2024 to 12/08/2024 with

Yestermorrow Design/Build School: Vermont - Semester in Sustainable Design/Build

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I found a community of like-minded people, and a discipline that inspires me. This experience opened my mind to modes of education and an application of academic learning that was empowering.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Mixed classroom format
  • Skill Building
  • Community
* What could be improved?
  • Pre-program transparency
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had more information prior to the program about what the practical portion of the program would entail.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

ARCH 514
Course Department: Architecture
Instructor: Anastasia Laurenzi, Adam Zawastowski
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Course changed how I approached and understood the built environment around me and how I designed/built. Our instructors and local experts challenged us to see architecture differently.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

ARCH 511
Course Department: Architecture
Instructor: Anastasia Laurenzi, Adam Zawastowski
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Course was engaging and challenging. Content was linked to the built environment around us and the practice of building. Teachers and local experts we visited were a wealth of information. My participation was higher. We were assessed orally.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

ARCH 512
Course Department: Architecture
Instructor: Anastasia Laurenzi, Adam Zawastowski
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I was challenged, and had to work hard, but I learned a great deal and benefited from the expertise I was surrounded by. Field trips and local experts greatly informed my understanding. We were evaluated based on design projects and presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

ARCH 513
Course Department: Architecture
Instructor: Anastasia Laurenzi, Adam Zawastowski
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Course was challenging and pushed me as a communicator of my ideas and understanding. I was encouraged to grow and participate. We were assessed through presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues: